Royal Philips and T-Com, Deutsche Telekom's fixed network division, today announced in Berlin that they will jointly develop the market for home broadband, wireless networks, connected devices and related services in Germany.

Similar agreements have been signed with BT, Belgacom and Telecom Italia. Earlier this year, Philips also announced alliances with KPN and Telefonica.

The BT alliance, for example, will attempt to create awareness among consumers that broadband reaches beyond the PC. To that end, the two companies will develop product demonstrations and entertainment displays in UK retail outlets. Both companies have also agreed to share product and service roadmaps.

The drive behind all this is The Connected Planet, Philips' strategic vision behind a portfolio of consumer products and technologies enabling users to access and enjoy digital content "anywhere and anytime in the home and beyond".

Philips was the first company to introduce a micro hi-fi system capable of connecting to multiple online music services wirelessly. Future products will be based on Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Philips's own Near-Field Communications wireless connectivity, the company said. ®